Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has issued an administrative decision giving enterprises a one-year extension to secure a ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ license even without an official business location in the emirate.

The extension is applicable to all ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ licenses, which expire by the end of December 2020.

The latest move is part of the Department’s bid to support entrepreneurs and attract more micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) owners to Abu Dhabi as well as reducing the burdens resulting from the repercussions of COVID-19 Pandemic.

ADDED has already issued 14,613 ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ licenses between its launch in 2017 and the end of September 2020, according to a press release.

“This decision is in line with the Department’s efforts to enhance the role of entrepreneurs in the emirate and provide them with the needed support amid the challenges brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It also allows MSME owners to obtain a ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ license to establish their businesses and expand their commercial activities for four successive years without meeting the requirement for a business location,” said Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED.

E-commerce activities account for the highest share of business undertakings being practiced in Abu Dhabi under the ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ license at 3,489 licenses, followed by general trading and selling snacks at 1,473 and 1,465, respectively.

Now, the issuance of a license with a two-year validity period is renewable for another two years without meeting the requirement for a business location. As such, business owners will have a valid license for four consecutive years. This amendment is applicable to all new licenses that will be issued until December 31, 2020.

Al Balooshi added: “Before this amendment has come into effect, a ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ license was only valid for three years. After the three-year period, the licensees were required to provide their business locations to be permitted to conduct their activities in Abu Dhabi.”

Furthermore, ADDED will also continue to waive the local fees for two consecutive years.